August 17, 2025 | 04:20 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The committee for Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day celebration presented a series of artistic performances, cultural showcases, and viral hits during the closing session of the ceremony at Merdeka Palace, Central Jakarta, on Sunday, August 17, 2025.
Among the highlights were the togak luan pacu jalur performance and the popular song Tabola Bale.
Following the 2025 National Flag Raising Ceremony, the audience was treated to traditional dances, including Bali’s pendet and pencak silat martial art displays.
A large-scale choreography then took center stage, with hundreds of performers forming a ship formation. At the top stood Rayyan Arkan Dhika, the child who popularized the phrase “aura farming” through the pacu jalur dance. The performers reenacted the pacu jalur boat race, accompanied by the Papuan folk song Sajojo.
Originating from Kuantan Singingi, Riau, the pacu jalur is a traditional boat race of the Malay community that recently went viral on social media, with people even abroad imitating its movements.
The performance drew smiles and applause from President Prabowo Subianto and the Merah Putih Cabinet. State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya joined in by mimicking the boat-rowing moves.
The energy escalated when Silet Open Up and Diva Aurel performed Tabola Bale, a TikTok sensation that blends Eastern Indonesian beats with Minangkabau lyrics about love.
Teddy came down to the stage to dance, followed by National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo and Iriana Jokowi, wife of former president Joko Widodo.
Silet Open Up and Diva Aurel then invited President Prabowo to the field, where he danced by moving both hands to the rhythm.
Military Commander General Agus Subiyanto eventually joined the Police Chief in dancing before the Presidential Security Force (Paspampres) dispersed the approaching crowd as the music ended.
This year marked Prabowo’s first Independence Day as President. State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi confirmed that around 16,000 guests attended the morning and afternoon sessions of the ceremony.
Following the Palace ceremony, the celebrations extended into a people’s party along Jalan M.H. Thamrin to Sudirman, Central Jakarta. Staged in two sessions—08.00–14.00 and 16.00–22.00 WIB—the festivities featured a United Independence Carnival.
Various ministries and institutions paraded decorated trucks showcasing achievements made during Prabowo’s first 300 days in office.
Eka Yudha Saputra contributed to the writing of this article.
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